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capndavid — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:39:38 GMT

Originally Posted by capndavid

Thank you so much my PC friends. I have returned to this site many times for PC technical support and always find an answer. Thanks DonnaB, your advice was the answer. I restarted the PC and reinstalled the original Vista image and it worked fine.
Thanks again.

What is OpenCloud Antivirus?

Net_Surfer — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:49:56 GMT

What is OpenCloud Antivirus?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that OpenCloud Antivirus is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with OpenCloud Antivirus?

Removal instructions for OpenCloud Antivirus

Is WinPatrol 20.0.2011 the best security, spyware, malware and anti-virus software

Net_Surfer — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:11:58 GMT

Is WinPatrol 20.0.2011 the best security, spyware, malware and anti-virus software program?

WinPatrol is Freeware; WinPatrol Plus is priced at $29.95 and WinPatrol Family Pack is $49.95

Works with Windows XP/Vista/7

There are many versions of WinPatrol being used and all of them are very highly rated. WinPatrol looks at your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. WinPatrol pioneered a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computer and its environment. WinPatrol allows you to explore deep inside your computer without having to be a computer expert. You receive immediate notices of changes in your programs.

WinPatrol doesn�t scan your hard drive searching for previously indentified threats. Using the heuristic approach, a snapshot is taken of your critical system resources and then alerts you to any changes that occur without your knowledge. You�ll be warned immediately by Scotty and will be removing dangerous new threats while other wait to hear bout them on the news. WinPatrol includes enhanced reports and checks for a number of new Internet Explorer helpers and a fix to the disappearing task bar icon quirk in Windows XP.

It is characterized by the Black Scotty Dog. (Patrol Win) in your lower right Icon listings.

WinPatrol is a leading security and spyware and malware and antivirus software program. It is ranked #1 in independent antivirus tests. It is also the most powerful system monitor for its small memory footprint.

WinPatrol comes in three versions:

WinPatrol--Freeware downloaded for FREE.

WinPatrol Plus: $29.95--Lifetime License for a single user with unlimited computers.

WinPatrol Family Pack: $49.95�Lifetime for immediate family members with unlimited computers.

The Easiest, Fastest Way to Update or Install Software

Net_Surfer — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:04:36 GMT

The Easiest, Fastest Way to Update or Install Software

>> Ninite <<

Ninite �installs the apps on your PC without introducing additional crapware�

No Clicking Next!

Ninite fully automates installers offscreen.

No Toolbars!

Ninite automatically says "No" to toolbars and other junk.

Always Up-to-date!

A Ninite installer always gets an app's latest version no matter when you made it.

It Updates Too!

Just run your Ninite installer again and it will update the apps to their latest versions.

No Signup

Ninite just works. No account, signup, or client needed.

32 and 64-bit

Ninite installs the best version of an app for your PC.

International

Ninite installs apps in your PC's language.

About Ninite:

Ninite was founded by Patrick Swieskowski and Sascha Kuzins. Investors include Y Combinator and a small collection of helpful angels.

We believe in simplicity.

Enjoy this application

Best Regards
Net_Surfer

Easy ways to troubleshoot a computer that "Won't Start"

Net_Surfer — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:27:52 GMT

How to fix a computer that won't start

A computer that won't start is frustrating, but the problem is often easy to fix. The steps you take to troubleshoot the problem depend on your symptoms.

You log on by clicking your user accounts, but then you can't open any programs
Your computer displays the Windows logo, but fails before you can log on
You see "Non-system disk or disk error," or a similar message
Your computer stops immediately after you turn it on or displays nothing on your monitor
Your computer does not turn on
You need to perform a repair installation of Windows XP
=============
How to fix a computer that won't start:

A computer that won't start is frustrating, but the problem is often easy to fix. The steps you take to troubleshoot the problem depend on your symptoms.

*You log on by clicking your user accounts, but then you can't open any programs

After you click your user account or type your password, immediately press the Shift key and hold it until your desktop and taskbar are visible. Holding down the Shift key stops programs from loading automatically, and it is probably one of these programs that is causing your problem. Once you are able to log on successfully, you can change the programs that run automatically and remove the program that is causing the problem.

* Your computer displays the Windows logo, but fails before you can log on

Sometimes Windows begins to load but then stops responding during the startup process. In most cases, the problem is a new piece of hardware, a new program, or a corrupted system file.

Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot the problem.

Try to start your computer after each step. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail during startup.

To troubleshoot startup problems:

Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press Enter. Windows XP attempts to start.

If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly.

Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode and press Enter. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.

*You see "Non-system disk or disk error," or a similar message

The "Non-system disk or disk error" message means that your computer could not find Windows. Follow the steps below and try starting your computer after each step. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail during the startup process.
To troubleshoot disk errors

*Your computer might be trying to load Windows from removable media rather than from the hard disk inside your computer. Remove any floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and memory cards.

*A portion of your hard disk may be corrupted. You might be able to fix the problem by performing a repair installation of Windows XP.

* Your hard disk may have failed. If your hard disk has failed, it will need to be replaced. After you have replaced your hard disk, you should restore your files from a backup.

*Your computer stops immediately after you turn it on or displays nothing on your monitor

If your computer displays an error message within a few seconds of starting, you probably have a hardware configuration problem. If you see the Windows logo, you need to troubleshoot startup problems. If you see a "Non-system disk or disk error" message, you need to troubleshoot disk errors. If you don't even see the startup screen, you likely have a hardware problem. Follow these steps to troubleshoot a hardware problem that prevents your computer from starting to load Windows. After each step, restart your computer and attempt to load Windows. Continue to the next step only if Windows continues to fail to load.

To troubleshoot hardware problems:

* If your computer beeps when you start it but does not display anything on your monitor:

Disconnect and reconnect your monitor from your computer.

Verify that your monitor's power cord is connected and that your monitor is turned on.

If possible, connect your monitor to a different computer to make sure that your monitor works properly.

If your monitor works but your computer beeps and displays nothing, your video adapter has probably failed. If your computer is under warranty, contact your computer manufacturer for support. If your computer is not under warranty, and you are comfortable opening your computer's case and replacing internal hardware, purchase and install a compatible replacement video adapter. Otherwise, contact a service center for assistance. While replacing a part is a nuisance and may be costly, your documents, pictures, and e-mail should be safe and will be available when your computer is fixed.

*If you see an error message that indicates that a keyboard is not present or a key is stuck, turn off your computer and reconnect your keyboard. If the problem continues, replace your keyboard.

Sometimes your computer won't start because your computer is not compatible with a hardware accessory.

* If you have recently added a new hardware accessory, turn your computer off, remove the accessory, and restart your computer.

Remove all hardware accessories except your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. If your computer starts successfully, shut down Windows, turn off your computer, and add one hardware accessory. Then, restart your computer. If your computer fails to start, the hardware accessory you most recently added is causing a problem. Remove the hardware and contact the hardware vendor for support. You can reconnect other hardware accessories.

*You may have a loose connector. Turn off your computer, remove all connectors from the outside of your computer, and then carefully push the connectors back in. Look for stray wires, bent pins, and loosely fitting connectors.

*If you are comfortable opening your computer's case, shut down your computer, unplug the power, and open your computer�s case. Remove and reconnect all cables. Remove and reconnect all cards inside your computer, including your computer�s memory chips. Reassemble your computer before attempting to start it again.

*If your computer still doesn't start, your motherboard, processor, memory, or graphics card may have developed a problem. While failed hardware can be frustrating, your documents, pictures, and email should be safe and will be there when your computer is fixed.

Your computer does not turn on

If your computer does not turn on�you press the power button and no lights appear, and there are no beeps or other sounds�you should:

Verify that your computer's power cord is connected.

Unplug your computer and connect a different electrical device (such as a lamp, a fan, or a radio) into the same electrical outlet. If the device does not work, the problem is the electrical outlet, not the computer.

*[b]You need to perform a repair installation of Windows XP ?

Performing a repair installation of Windows XP can fix many serious startup problems. While you should not lose any of your important documents, you might lose settings, and you will need to reinstall many updates.

Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both your Windows XP CD and your product key available.

To perform a repair installation of Windows XP:

Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.

Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.

When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press Enter on your keyboard.

On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the Page Down key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.

When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.

The repair and re-installation process might take more than an hour. Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were installing Windows XP for the first time.

Was this helpful?

Kind Regards
Net_Surfer

Troubleshooting Windows Stop Errors: What they mean (in English)

abseh1 — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:25:40 GMT

Troubleshooting Windows Stop Errors: What they mean (in English)

This list here is not a complete list, this only explains the most common ones.

If your computer is restarting too quick to see the stop message you can make it not reboot by following the steps in This Article

Windows Stop Errors literally mean that Windows has stopped. These only appear in NT based operating systems such as Windows NT, 2000 and XP Vista Win7 etc.

Most of the time the errors are caused by hardware problems. (but not always)

A stop error looks like a Blue Screen with a code below it saying something like �Stop 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL� which is the computers way to tell you what is wrong.

Can you direct me in the right place for help with Bushnell Imageview Binoculars?

cprieboy — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:00:27 GMT

I know this is for computer related stuff but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about these binoculars that takes photos? It snaps like it is taking pictures yet does nothing. Any direction or help would be so much appreciated.

Thank you :)

Comparing Registry Cleaners

arraknid — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:43:36 GMT

There's been some recent discussion on the forum about Registry cleaners and it seems that many people consider them to be some kind of cure-all for slow machines or intermittent problems. Looking at the availability and marketing of such programs, it's easy to see why. A quick search found nearly 70 different offerings, including 25 or so free versions, though some of those offer free scans only. Curing the so-called 'problems' then costs money.

There are many sites offering comparisons of Registry cleaners - though most, it has to be said, are far from independent and their conclusions should be viewed with some degree of suspicion.

So, are they actually necessary? Personally, I'm with those that have their doubts. This is a quote from Wikipedia...

Most notably, critics say there is no reliable way for a third party program to know whether any particular key is invalid, redundant or neither. Poorly designed registry cleaners may not know for sure whether a key is still being used by Windows or what detrimental effects removing it may have. This has led to examples of registry cleaners causing loss of functionality and/or system instability.

That said, problems can occur when Registry entries become corrupted or changed by malware or viruses, though I've yet to see any product that will cure those problems. Most products use a set of algorithms - effectively a set of instructions based on rules determined by the writer, and as every product is different, so will be the results.

There seems to be a view that the more 'problems' a program finds, the better it is. Again, that would depend on what the software writers have set as the search criteria. Some programs are much more aggressive than others, though whether they need to be is questionable. I get the feeling sometimes that the marketing of the product demands such fantastic results to supposedly raise it above others in the market.

It is true that uninstalled programs have a habit of leaving redundant entries behind which will eventually clutter the Registry, and cleaning it from time to time can only help. Whether it speeds up the operating system is debatable. It's also true that, as with a hard drive, data becomes fragmented - hence the appearance of products that will defrag the Registry. Again, in theory, that should speed things up, but probably only by a few milliseconds.

The majority of Registry defrag products run within the Windows environment which is hardly ideal when there are so many programs running and needing to access the Registry. The ideal option is to defrag before Windows loads, in the same way that chkdsk does. My preferred option is to use PageDefrag which does just that - either at each boot up, or on a one-off basis.

I recently had to clean out a machine loaded with XP SP2 after they clicked on a nasty. With EvilFantasy's help, it's now clean, but as it has never had even a defrag in 4 years, I thought I'd run a few tests comparing some Registry cleaners. The choice is based on what I had available so isn't in any way definitive, merely something to satisfy my curiosity.

I only compared four products, because to have an accurate comparison, I needed to restore each system from a backup image after each test, and that takes more time than I had available.

Products tested were Registry Mechanic, Ccleaner, Eusing and RegCure - each one in its latest version. The first stage was to simply run the scan options to see what the results were. The number of 'problems' found was as follows....

Registry Mechanic 1678
Ccleaner 963
Eusing 658
RegCure 858

Next stage was to run the fix option and restart. Results as follows....

Registry Mechanic
Refused to start reporting config/system error

Ccleaner
Started up OK, most programs ran fine, but froze when IE was started.

Eusing
Started up and ran OK. Tried most programs without problem.

RegCure
Started up and ran OK. Again no problems running programs.

Trying to compare what each program had actually done would also have taken far too much of my time, but the wide variation in 'problems' found would tend to confirm a more aggressive set of algorithms in Registry Mechanic and Ccleaner, leading to subsequent system problems.

Comparing the last 2, Eusing and RegCure, they performed much the same, being less aggressive, but one is free and the other isn't! That's not to say that under different circumstances on another machine, the results would be the same. It would depend on the system configuration and what software was installed.

Hopefully, what the tests achieved lends weight to the argument that Registry cleaning software can cause more problems than it cures, so should always be used with caution.

Let me add that I have no interest, commercially or otherwise, in any of the products tested, nor should the test results be seen as favouring one product over another.

I'm simply reporting what I found. :)

Flash Cookies

BobbyZee — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:31:49 GMT

Many thanks arraknid for your interesting article on stopping Flash Player cookies. I always wondered what this link
was in Chrome's "Under The Bonnet" settings, now I know!

Being largely a computer ignoramus, there is one thing I'm not sure about regarding the settings.sol file, I use
CCleaner, if I leave the erase Flash Cookie box checked, when cleaning will this affect settings.sol file or should this
box be unchecked?

I have carried out your recommendations with all the Flash settings, just hope you can clear this last point up for
me.

Thanks,

BobbyZee

How to stop Flash Player creating cookies on your computer

arraknid — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:34:15 GMT

Recently, there have been a number of posts and blogs here at Help2Go related to Flash cookies (or Local Shared Objects as they are more accurately described) and how to remove them from your computer. This stems from some degree of paranoia which abounds on the internet related to personal security and the ability to track your internet habits - more often than not based on a lack of understanding of how Flash works, a hatred of anything Adobe (!) or for commercial reasons.

There are a number of dedicated browser plugins - mainly for FireFox, that delete Flash Cookies after each session, and cleaner software like CCleaner also has an option to remove them, but the simplest option is to stop them being placed on your system in the first place. This isn't a difficult thing to do and takes just a few minutes - and is provided by Adobe themselves.

First thing to do is visit the Adobe website...

Adobe - Flash Player : Settings Manager - Website Storage Settings panel

Once there you'll see a window labelled Global Privacy Settings panel with tabs along the top edge. That isn't simply a static image, it's the actual settings window for your computer, so may take a few seconds to load.

Just copy each of the settings shown below to obtain the maximum security level, minimum intrusion and have no cookies placed on your computer.

In the following window, you can choose to be informed of Flash Player updates if you wish. If not, leave the option unchecked...

The next window relates to licenses that may be required to play commercial movie files using the .flv format that you may have downloaded. Choosing Reset License Files will delete them which will mean you'll need to re-acquire them from the publisher. If you have none, leave as is and move to the next tab.

In the last window, place a check mark against Disable P2P uplink for all, then clear any entries that may be listed...

Once completed, you can simply close the browser window. The settings will be automatically stored on your computer in a file called settings.sol which is checked by your browser each time you open any Flash content to check your preferences. If you, or a cleaner program, deletes the file (which is unlikely), it'll be recreated automatically with Adobe default settings, which will mean you'll have to repeat the above processes.

Any plugins you may have - particularly Better Privacy, FlashBlock and Objection can be uninstalled once the above has been completed. They only slow down your browser performance anyway.

Hopefully, that's removed some of the mystery (and fear) regarding Flash cookies.

Is your computer slow to start up?

arraknid — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:08:25 GMT

One of the most common complaints by computer owners is that their machine takes a long time to start up. Whilst there can be a number of reasons why that happens, the usual culprit is the operating system having to load numerous processes that may or may not be required.

Those that are definitely required include your antivirus software and third-party firewall (if installed), but there may be others depending on your machine configuration. That could be a UPS battery backup, an external audio controller, or programs like Skype or MSN if used regularly. Pretty well everything else can be removed from the Startup list (see below for instructions on how to do that).

In addition to speeding up the startup process, you'll also gain some RAM memory which will be particularly noticeable on machines with 512Mb or less of installed RAM. Additionally, some of those processes may also have access to the internet, particularly updaters, which will be 'calling home' regularly, checking for the latest versions of installed software. The most common include Java, Adobe, Quicktime, Google and RealPlayer, none of which are required to run at startup. Stopping those processes will prevent them using valuable bandwidth. For dial-up or slow connections, the difference will be noticeable.

So, how do you find out what's running on your system?

The traditional Windows option is to run the inbuilt utility called msconfig (see below), which does require some degree of computer experience, but there are much simpler ways.

There are numerous small programs (see list below), all free-to-use, that will show the programs in the startup list, and which will allow you to disable or remove entries completely. Of course, that implies you know which ones are required and which aren't.

Certain of those programs, particularly Startup Inspector, are able to link to a website which contains lists of 90% of known startup processes. Once started, the program checks what you have in your startup list and displays them. When you press Consult, each of the entries will be classified as to whether they are required or not, so you can choose to disable or remove. Startup Optimizer does a similar job.

Alternatively, or in addition, for the more-technically confident, there's always the option of running a HiJackThis scan and choosing to create a logfile. The startup entries are designated as 04 in the logfile, but that still doesn't tell you whether they are needed or not.

For a definitive explanation of what the startup entries are and whether they are required, you can enter each one into the search box here...

SystemLookup - Startup List

Highlight the .exe file on each 04 entry, then individually copy and paste into the Search box on the webpage, then click on the magnifying glass. The next window will tell you what the .exe does. If classified as Y, leave the entry. If U, you must decide if you need that utility at your finger tips 'pre-started' or remove it. If the latter, check the box next to the entry in HiJackThis. This does not delete the program, just the entry.
There is also an N for 'Not needed' - check the box on these also. If noted as an X or ? leave alone and check out the following tutorial...

How to start removing viruses spyware your computer

In HiJackThis, after you've checked the box next to the ones you want stopped, click the Fix Checked button and reboot the machine. Do not check any other entries unless specifically asked to by a volunteer. To do so, may damage your machine, so be warned.

Once you've completed the above you should be left with no more than 4 - 6 entries.

For Laptop owners, you'll also need to leave the touchpad software entries in place.

Monitoring future entries

So, now you've trimmed down the number of applications set to run at startup, how do you stop them reappearing without you knowing? Or new entries being slipped in without your knowledge when installing new programs? Or malware installing itself in the registry and set to run every time you start your computer?

Actually, it's very easy. There are a number of small, free, utilities that will monitor the startup list and the registry, and let you know when anything tries to add an entry. You'll then have the option of allowing or denying the change. The best known is probably Mike Lin's StartupMonitor.

Recommended free software

HijackThis

Startup list management software

Startup Control Panel

StartUp

Startup Inspector

Startup Optimizer

Ccleaner Please note that we don't advise using the Registry clean option unless you are able to understand what you are seeing. If you don't, you may cause major problems. See here and here for more info.

Autoruns (for advanced users)

WinPatrol (for advanced users)

StartupLite

Startup monitoring software

Startup Monitor

WinPatrol (for advanced users)

One thing to bear in mind is that both of the above programs will install themselves in the startup list by default. That's normal and necessary for their operation. Of the 2, my choice would be, and has been for a long time, Startup Monitor which is dedicated to monitoring and nothing else.

For those wishing to learn about Windows msconfig utility, this will explain how it's used.

How to use MSCONFIG: NetSquirrel.com

Flash & Flash Cookies

Osc — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:03:01 GMT

I've been meaning to write something up about Flash cookies for awhile now, but I just found this article that sums the problem nicely:

John Graham-Cumming: What's wrong with Flash Cookies?

I hate Flash. As far as I'm concerned, it's too buggy, it's too crashy, and it hides too much of what it is doing from the user. It's mainly used by advertisements anyway. I'll be very glad when HTML5 is at the point where it can wipe Flash off the face of the planet. Flash for me is similar in many respects to the old ActiveX and Java applets we had to endure in the late 90s early 2000s.

When I install a browser, one of the first plugins I install is Flashblock:
Flashblock for Firefox
Flashblock for Chrome

Flash lets ME decide when I want Flash. If Flash is on a page, it just shows a "play" button, so I can just hit play if I want to see the Flash. Usually, I don't, and it helps my browsers run faster and makes them more stable. Soon, we'll be free of Flash forever (I hope).

Diaspora: Open Distributed Facebook Competitor

Osc — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:05:31 GMT

I hope these guys make it! It's against all odds, but hopefully if there is enough press and people start moving, maybe they can get some momentum. Vaporware for now but here's hoping :)

About New York - Creating a Network Like Facebook, Only Private - NYTimes.com

and here's more about Facebook and their founder's plan:

http://calacanis.com/2010/05/12/the-...ing-your-hand/

1Password now available (free) for Windows

Osc — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:08:51 GMT

1Password is a piece of software that changed my life. I had heard it mentioned and raved about many times before I became a Mac user, and when I made the switch I purchased it. Simply put, it is a beautiful piece of software that seamlessly manages all of your passwords, with very little effort on your part.

It integrates perfectly with all of your web browsers, so that it is proactive about helping you manage your accounts. Safe and secure, I recently bought a "family" license so that I can put it on my wife's computer as well.

And now, Windows users finally get a chance to use this excellent utility:

Installing 1Password for Windows

I highly recommend that all computer users give it a try. It's much more polished and stable than the open source alternative (KeePass) that I have recommended in the past. This utility is well worth the price.

Protecting your Privacy on Facebook

Osc — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:35:44 GMT

At Facebook's conference, they have announced some really scary new features that create legitimate privacy concerns for any Facebook user. Unless you opt out, your Facebook information can be shared with their partner sites. Furthermore, they have changed one of their policies so that Facebook Applications can no longer have to delete your personal information after 24 hours.

The result is that every little quiz you ever took, every app you added and forgot about, can forever more access your private information. You don't know who these quiz developers are - they could be anyone or from anywhere. Don't take the chance.

For more information and to learn how to opt out, follow the directions in BOTH of these articles:

Lifehacker: Delete Facebook Apps that Now Have Greater Access to Your Data

Librarian By Day: Protect Your Privacy Opt Out of Facebook�s New Instant Personalization � Yes You Have to Opt Out